Leona D. (Toelke) Thomas, 87, formerly of Dakota, died Friday, May 30, 2014 at the Manor Court in Freeport. Born November 21, 1926, in Stephenson County she was the daughter of Elmer and Elsie (Pieper) Toelke. She was a graduate of Dakota High School. On April 27, 1946, Leona and Lowell F. Thomas were united in marriage. He preceded her in death in 1999. Leona worked for Micro Switch for 25 ½ years retiring in 1988. She was a lifetime member of the Dakota Presbyterian Church, the Sunshine Club, Ever Ready Circle, Stephenson County Home Extension and farmed east of Dakota with her husband for 48 yrs. Leona enjoyed outside yard work, gardening, growing flowers, doing crafts and quilting. Surviving are her children Loris (Vicki) Thomas of Rock City, Linden Thomas of Dakota, Leanne Thomas of Howe, IN, Lois (Eldon) Christner of Shipshewana, IN, Lynnette (Dean) Bontreger of Noblesville, IN, Leslie (Terry) Thomas of Freeport; six grandsons, six granddaughters, nine great grandsons, seven great granddaughters; one brother Harold (Loraine) Toelke of Dakota; many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, two brothers Sheldon and Alvin Toelke, three sisters Bernice Toelke, Dorothy Barrickman and Beulah Folgate, great grandson Bentley Bontreger and daughter-in-law Virginia "Chick" Thomas. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4pm until 8pm at Daughenbaugh Funeral Home in Dakota. Private family burial will be at the Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport. Memorial service will be 11:00 am Wednesday at the Dakota Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in her name. A special thank you to Dr. Workman and his staff, Liberty Village and FHN Hospice for all their care.